The government has suggested that a new panel will help to put “common sense” back into health & safety. The Myth Busters Challenge panel chaired by the head of the HSE will be asked to look into complaints on advice given by non-regulators. The committee would then look to provide guidance …
[0 comments] Read and discussHow can large companies get health & safety so wrong?
Looking at the recent HSE prosecutions we are amazed how it is that large well known companies get health and safety so wrong. A recent case resulted in Nestle being fined £180,000 after a fatal accident at one of its plants. The court heard how the company failed to implement the …
[0 comments] Read and discussIs Health and Safety a barrier to business?
The results of the “Löfstedt Report” along with the Government Responses have now been published and the aim of reducing the health and safety burden on businesses is at the forefront of this report. Some key recommendations include: Reducing the number of regulations – which we feel in principle can only be …
[0 comments] Read and discussWhere to get competent health & safety advice
Did you know that last year the HSE advice line fielded 750,000 calls from small businesses? As of this month that advice/info line has been withdrawn, which begs the question where do these businesses go now for competent advice. The HSE has defended the withdrawal by saying that these businesses can find …
[0 comments] Read and discussRIDDOR – need help to understand what you need to do?
We recently attended a briefing session in London where the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was represented and RIDDOR was commented on. The key changes to RIDDOR is moving the reporting of over 3 days incidents to 7 days and increasing reporting time lines from 10 to 15 days. The message seems …
[0 comments] Read and discussRIDDOR changes to reporting
With the RIDDOR consultation over it is confirmed that the requirement to report over 3 day injuries will change to 7 days and over. Will this help cut the red tape burden on businesses and will it make reporting more reliable; only time will tell. Clearly the previous reporting criteria meant that …
[0 comments] Read and discussHSE cost recovery proposals consultation
The HSE proposal to replace the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2010 to reinstate existing fees and to extend the range of activities for which HSE recovers costs. In addition to reinstating existing fees the proposed Fees Regulations would place a duty on HSE to recover costs where dutyholders are found to be in …
[0 comments] Read and discussOHSCR is it understood by employers?
We recently undertook a PUWER review for a large college and during a general discussion with one of the college H&S advisor's the Subject of the OHSCR scheme was brought up. The college H&S advisor mentioned that the consultants that they use had claimed they had not signed up to OHSCR as one of …
[0 comments] Read and discussIs it right that “Low Risk” businesses should receive less inspections?
The government has recently unveiled plans to cut unnecessary health & safety inspections by a third to shops and offices. This is part of the plan introduced by Lord Young to reduce the burden of health & safety on what he see as "low-risk" businesses. Guidance has been produced for the local …
[0 comments] Read and discussConsultant prosecuted and fined £4000
A recent has has again highlighted the importance of ensuring the need to ensure competent health and safety advice is sought. The case in Northern Ireland has seen Miskelly Brothers Ltd. and its health and safety consultant Steven Jones fined a total of £54,000 plus costs, after both pleaded guilty to …
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